Inspired by true stories, the movie ‘CAMP’ follows an investment adviser named Ken Matthews who, hoping to impress a new client, volunteers at a summer ‘CAMP’ for foster kids. Paired with a 10-year-old boy named Eli, Matthews comes to find how hard it is to love a child neglected by society. Special to the MDJ

The Canton child outreach ministry Kids3 Inc. is rolling out the red carpet for the premiere of its “CAMP” movie on the big screen April 19 at 7 p.m.

Inspired by true stories, the movie follows an investment adviser named Ken Matthews who, hoping to impress a new client, volunteers at a summer “CAMP” for foster kids.

Paired with a 10-year-old boy named Eli, Matthews comes to find how hard it is to love a child neglected by society.

“It is a great movie and gives wonderful insight into the lives of these kids as well as the ministry,” said Tasha Whitener, the founder and executive director of Kids3.

The movie’s tagline, “Hope is found in unexpected places,” reinforces the mission of Kids3 of “providing hope for kids in foster care.”

Part of the Woodstock First Baptist Church outreach ministry, Kids3 is a non-profit organization created to give children in the foster care system skills and support to cope with life.

The organization hopes its movie will help make a difference in kids’ lives.

Whitener hopes the movie “makes people aware of the plight of these kids and the ways they can get involved in their lives.”

Gina Parker, activities director of the Royal Family KIDS “CAMP”, hopes the “CAMP” movie will help get the word out.

“Our main goal is to get the word out about our program for the abused, abandoned and neglected children,” she said

The “CAMP” movie is in fact about the RFKC, an annual summer “CAMP” that provides kids with an opportunity to experience normal childhood activities.

In addition, the “CAMP” is designed to heal the kids’ hurt of the past and to foster future growth.

During the “CAMP”, the kids are taught about value and self-worth, character and team-building, budgeting, job skills and work ethic, and leadership training.

Last year’s fifth annual RFKC took place during the week of June 17-22.

During the “CAMP”, kids were taught that “nothing can ever separate us from His love.”

Sixty-six kids had the opportunity to go to “CAMP”.

RFKC 2013 will be held during the week of June 16-21. Kids3’s goal this year is to take 70 kids to “CAMP”.

Kids3 also has a year-round mentoring program called One 4 Life that, according to the Kids3 website, strives “to create lifetime mentoring relationships for the kids.”

Kids3 also held its Taste of Heaven food festival in April 2012, where foster children sampled great food and experienced music and other entertainment to help the organization’s cause.

Kids3 also holds various community service projects according to the kids’ areas of interest.

According to its website, Kids3 “was established to give hope to kids in state care and equip them with the skills and support necessary for success.”

“Our belief is that by providing these kids with the appropriate skills and support,” says Kids3 of its mission, “we can better prepare them for the challenges and opportunities they will face once they emancipate from the system.”

Kids3 accomplishes this purpose through the relationships that are developed in its “CAMP”s, special events and its One 4 Life mentoring program.

By having kids experience these programs, Kids3 wants to “instill hope through sharing the love of Christ, (as well as) teach character, team-building and other life skills.”

“Most importantly,” believes the organization, “our goal is to provide these kids with the necessary support and an advocate that will be there for them throughout their time in state care and beyond.”

All Kids3 youth are in foster care, group homes or state approved care and range from 7 to 18 years old.

There is no charge for kids to attend Kids3’s activities.

The “CAMP” movie will be playing at the Cherokee Stadium 16 Cinema in Woodstock from April 19 to 25.

Presented by Roebuck Media, the movie is rated PG-13 for brief language and mature thematic elements.

A portion of each ticket sold will go toward supporting RFKC and helping Kids3 to send abused and neglected kids to “CAMP”.

To see the trailer and get tickets visit the”CAMP”movie.com.

Advance tickets can be purchased at www.fandango.com/”CAMP”163069/movietimes?date=4/19/2013.

For more information visit the movie website or call Cherokee Stadium 16 at (770) 924-3700.

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